Great Backyard Bird Count

White-throated sparrow

Last weekend was the annual international Great Backyard Bird Count (GBBC). This year the birds have been quite active at our backyard feeders, or perhaps I am just aware of them more, as my temporary Covid home office window provides a perfect view of their activity. I didn't spot anything particularly unusual last weekend, but watching the birds was entertaining nonetheless.

The White-throated sparrow above was fund to watch as it would only come out into the opening briefly and then would quickly run back to the safety and security of his refuge under a juniper bush.  

Many of the birds were in pairs, like these Cardinals and Red-breasted nuthatches.

 Female Cardinal Above and Male in a tree nearby below

We get both Red-breasted and White-breasted Nuthatches, but the Red-breasted have been more common this year and can be seen eating seed or suet from the feeders, or searching for food in the bushes or on the brick patio. 

Two Red-breasted Nuthatches share the feeder

The two birds below are despised by many, but I have learned to appreciate both the loud and often voracious appetite of the Blue Jay, which can almost devour an entire block of suet in a day, as well as the Starling, which I think is a most beautiful bird. The later may be because we don't see them often in our yard; and, when we do, there is usually just one or two and they only stay briefly.

Blue Jay watching over a Starling

Beautiful iridescent colors of a Starling

New Hampshire's state bird is the Purple Finch, but it is the House Finch that we see more often in our backyard. I have a very hard time telling them apart, but the male purple finch will have more red over it's body, including the back and wings.

Male House Finch

Our old heirloom pear tree is a favorite for woodpeckers and I am happy to observe the return of the Red-bellied this year. Last year they were scarce for some reason. We also have daily visits from both Downy and Hairy woodpeckers.

Red-bellied Woodpecker

Downy Woodpecker (left) and Hairy Woodpecker (right)

There was also a brief appearance of a chipmunk. This is not a common occurrence in February as they are typically still hibernating in their burrows until the weather warms in the Spring. Sunday was not a particularly warm day, so I am not sure why this one decided to emerge early.

There is only one more week left in February and soon the southern migrating birds will be returning north (we are already starting to see some Robins), but until then there is still plenty of wildlife to be observed by just walking outside your back door.